Door support

ABSTRACT

A cabinet door support or the like which while being especially useful for hinged cabinet doors, as found in recreational vehicles but also useful in other places, is uniquely configured and constructed so as to provide a low-cost support which will retain a cabinet door or the like in the open position yet will permit ease of closing with a single movement. The cabinet door support utilizes economical components which are essentially trouble free in operation and permits the releasable locking of a cabinet door in the open position and yet also permits unlocking so as to close the cabinet door with a single application of force on the cabinet door without need of manually manipulating the locking component.

United States Patent Gorton et al.

[ Sept. 23, 1975 DOOR SUPPORT [75] Inventors: Howard B. Gorton, San Gabriel;

George D. Read, Glendora; Keith E. Ridgway, West Covina, all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Ajax Hardware Corporation, City of Industry, Calif.

[22] Filed: May 17, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 470,917

[52] US. Cl. 292/338 [51] Int. C1. E05C 17/30 [58] Field of Search 292/262, 267, 270, 275, 292/338, DIG. 4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,929,528 3/1960 Hoag et al. 292/275 X 3,006,676 10/1961 Germock, Jr. 292/338 Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mahoney, Schick & Cislo [57] ABSTRACT A cabinet door support or the like which while being especially useful for hinged cabinet doors, as found in recreational vehicles but also useful in other places, is uniquely configured and constructed so as to provide a low-cost support which will retain a cabinet door or the like in the open position yet will permit ease of closing with a single movement. The cabinet door support utilizes economical components which are essentially trouble free in operation and permits the releasable locking of a cabinet door in the open position and yet also permits unlocking so as to close the cabinet door with a single application of force on the cabinet door without need of manually manipulating the locking component.

15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,907,350

US Patent Sept. 23,1975

Sheet 2 of 2 DOOR SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to support members especially of the type that may be utilized in combination with cabinet doors. For example, the type of cabinet door with which the support of the invention will have its greatest use is that pertaining to recreational vehicles wherein overhead storage cabinets have hinged cabinet doors within which various supplies are stowed.

When extracting the stowed items from the various cabinets or closures, whether they be horizontally or vertically oriented, it is most desirable to be able to retain the opened cabinet door in the open position in a somewhat secure manner. Additionally, it is desirable to be able to release the locking mechanism of a door support holding the door in the open position easily and positively and most desirably with the utilization of the cabinet door itself being manipulated with one hand.

That is, prior art door supports of one type or another are either very sophisticated in their structures and thereby relatively expensive or alternately employ a positive locking mechanism which must be manually disengaged by a separate unlocking motion prior to closing the cabinet door. With the hereindisclosed invention, a relatively low-cost, easily installed and operated door support is provided which overcomes the prior art deficiencies and which permits locking the cabinet door in the locked position and releasably unlocking the door so as to be able to close same with the exertion of an applied force to overcome the locking forces retaining the cabinet door or the like in the open or locked position.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an easily constructed door support utilizing a minimum of component parts.

It is another object of the invention to provide an easily fabricated, low-cost, long-wearing door support for utilization with cabinet doors or the like wherein it is desirable to retain the door in the open position.

It is still another and further more important object of the invention to provide a door support which is especially suitable for utilization with cabinet doors of recreational vehicles wherein the door may be opened and locked in that position and easily unlocked or closed without the manipulation of the locking mechanism.

It is still another and further more important object of the invention to provide a door support or the like wherein once the door is in the locked open position,

the application of a selected force will overcome the locking forces so as to permit easy closure of the door.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door support or the like having a minimum inward projection into the cabinet when the door is closed so as to prevent interference with the contents contained in the cabinet.

It is still another and further more specific object of the invention to provide a door support or the like utilizing molded plastic parts and cooperating with a telescopically received metal member to permit positive positioning of a cabinet door or the like in the open position and yet still permit ease of closure without the manual manipulation of the latching or locking mechanism utilized to keep the door in the open position.

Generally speaking, in an exemplary embodiment, the invention pertains to a cabinet door support or the like involving a first attachment member for secured attachment to one of a cabinet door and a cabinet frame member. An elongate extending housing member is pivotally secured to the first attachment member and a second attachment member is slidably, captively and telescopically received within the housing member and has one of its ends adapted for secured attachment to the other of a cabinet door and a cabinet frame member. The housing member and secured attachment member have cooperative locking or latching means to releasably lock the second attachment member in the fully extended position with respect to the housing member.

, These and other further objects of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and commentary directed thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one type of cabinet with which the support member of the invention may be utilized;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 further illustrating the door support or the like member of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the cabinet door in the open and latched or locked position;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a securement member for the door support with the housing and other securement member removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5;

and

FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS CONTEMPLATED Referring to the figures of drawing wherein like numerals of reference will designate like elements throughout, the support of the invention will be described as it specifically relates to one type of cabinet as may be found in recreational vehicles or the like. However, it is to be understood that the cabinet may be vertically oriented as opposed to horizontally oriented and that indeed, the support of the invention may be utilized in applications other than holding doors open. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the support of the invention may be utilized in other fields of applications as for example, collapsible shelves, tables, etc. I

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that a cabinet 2 of conventional structure has exterior frame 4 to which is hingedly connected a cabinet door 8 by means of hinges 10. As is usual in cabinet constructions, there is also present an interior, vertical cabinet frame member 12 in order to give rigidity to cabinet 2 and to provide support structure for the support device of the invention as will be seen as the commentary proceeds.

The door 8 may be provided with a pull knob 14 and friction closing means, not shown, in order to keep the cabinet door 8' tightly closed as is conventional in the cabinet art. While the door support of this invention will bedescribed singularly, it will be understood that with the size of the door 8 shown in FIG. 1, that two of the support members of the invention would be desirable. Obviously, where smaller cabinet doors are utilized in various applications, only one such support member is necessary.

' The door support comprises a first securement member 22 in this instance being made of plastic, and having a first plate-like portion 24 with the ears 26 and 28 extending therefrom. The plate 22 is provided with apertures 30 for securement to one of a door frame member 12 or alternately to the door 8. In the specific example shown, the first securement member 22 is secured to the inner surface of door 8 by means of wood screws-32.

The ear 28 has substantially planar interior and exterior surfaces. The ear 26 is thicker in wall section and is provided with an interior elongated slot 36 and shaved end 38 for ease of association with the housing member component of door support 20 as will become apparent. Extending from plate 22 is the stepped projection 40 which abuts against the end wall of the housing member of support 20 to provide secure engagement between first securement member 22 and the housing member as will be described.

Housing member 42 is an elongate member having at least wall portions forming an interior guide path within which a second securement member is disposed in captive sliding relationship as will be seen. The housing member 42 has a first end 44 from which extends stub shaft 46 for pivotal association with the slot 36 of car 26 of first securement member 22. The side wall 48 of housing member 42 and from which stub shaft 46 extends, has a V-shaped or triangular-like shaped tab portion 50 formed from the side wall and extending inwardly thereof. The lower wall portion 52 in conjunction with an opposite lower wall portion 54, provides an interior guide path within which a second securement member is slidably disposed in captive relationship to the housing 42 as will become apparent.

The interior surface 56 of wall 48 is provided with a spaced pair of upraised guide rails 58 against which the second sliding securement member of the support 20 bears'agains't. An inwardly directed wall portion 60 of wall 54 (FIG. 4) is also provided to bear against the second securement member which is slidably disposed within the housing member 42. The inwardly directed tab portion 50 has a cross-sectional configuration (FIG. 7), to fit in close engagement with the seconcfsecurement member which is slidably disposed in housing member 42. In this particular instance, housing member 42 is fabricated of molded plastic or the like, so that theinwardly directed portions 50 and 60 have some give" or flexibility so as to allow the placement of the slidable member of door support 20 in a facile fashion.

The second securement member 62, which is slidably disposed within the housing member 42, is, in this particular instance, made of metal wherein a first end 64 has an abutment or formed protuberance 66 so that the abutment 66 engages the inwardly directed wall portion 60 to limit outward movement of second securement member 62 outwardly of housing member 42. As indicated hereinbefore, the member 62 is easily received and disassociated from the housing member 42 bytaking the inwardly directed wall portion 60 out of engagement with abutment 66. However, it will be apparent that when disposing the sliding member 62 within the housing 42, pressure need not be relieved on inwardly directed wall portion 60 as there is provided, the sloping portion 68 adjacent the protuberance 66.

For manufacturing techniques which are of no import herein, the end 64 and more specifically, in the area of protuberance 66, may be provided with aperture 70 through the thin wall of second securement member 62.

Once disposed within the housing 42, it will be apparent that the second securement member 62 is captively received therein and is movable from the fully retracted position shown in FIG. 2 to the fully extended position shown in FIG. 3. In the position shown in FIG. 3, the action of the interior, inwardly extending wall portion 60 cooperating with abutment 66, prevents further movement of second securement member 62. Obviously, in the position shown in FIG. 2, the plate 22 or alternately the securement of the end 72 of second securement member 62 to the frame member 12, will prevent further movement of the member 62 within the housing 42.

The end 72 of second securement member 62 is offset and is secured to the frame member 12 by means of screw 74. The surface of member 62 adjacent the tablike wall portion 50 has a central recessed area 76 extending from about the offset end 72 to the opposite end 64 with the exception of the portion 78 adjacent the protuberance 66 which is slightly raised to form the looking or latching feature of support 20 by reason of the tab 50 engaging the end 80 of upraised portion 78. Conversely, the undersurface of member 62 is the reverse of the surface just described in that wherever the recessed surface 76 appears, the opposite surface is upraised as for example, as is obtained when a metal part is stamped, so that a recess is on one surface and an upraised surface is on the opposite surface.

The ends 80 and 82 of the upraised surface of member 62 are sloped so as to permit passage of the tab-like wall portion 50 over the upraised portion 78 to permit locking and latching or conversely unlatching and unlocking of the second support member 62 with respect to the housing and to thereby close or open the cabinet door 8 by one movement.

That is, when the cabinet door 8 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, one merely grasps the knob 14 and raises the door upwardly as shown in FIG. 3, until such time as the inwardly directed tab portion 50 engages the stop 80. The door 8 will now be held in the open and locked position. To unlatch or unlock the support 20, one merely applies a downward force on the door 8 of sufficient magnitude to allow the tab 50 to ride up the sloped abutment 80 to thereby allow retraction of second securement member 62 within the housing 42 and to permit closing of the door as shown in FIG. 2.

It is thus been seen that a relatively low-cost, faultfree support mechanism has been described comprising but three major components. The housing member may be of molded plastic and to associate the slide member 62, one merely positions the same within the end of the housing opposite the stub shaft 46 and pushes same until the abutment 66 bypasses inwardly directed wall 60. At this juncture, the inwardly projecting tab 50 will hit the inclined surface 80 (FIG. 4) and the continued application of pressure as previously described for closing the door 8, will cause tab 50 to override the upraised portion 78 of second securement member 62 and the member 62 will then be slidably and captively retained within housing member 42. To complete the assemblage, the housing member carrying the sliding member 62 is snapped into engagement by reason of cooperation of the stub shaft 46 and elongate slot 36 of first securement member 22. Proper positioning of the housing member 42 with first securement 22 is obtained by reason of abutment 40 bearing against a curved edge 81 of housing member 42.

Cooperation of the cross-sectional configuration of the tab 50 being such as to fit the recess 76 and the close tolerance between the inwardly directed wall portion 60 and the upraised wall portion of member 62, as well as the guide tracks 58 provide for tight fitting relationship of member 62 within housing 42 in an easily, slidable manner.

Thus, there has been disclosed an unique door support or the like as set forth in the objects. Changes, modifications and alterations will suggest themselves, but all such changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A cabinet door support or the like comprising the combination: a first attachment member for secure attachment to one of a cabinet door and a cabinet frame member; an elongate, extending housing member having one end pivotally secured to said first attachment member; a second attachment member slidably, captively, and telescopically received within said housing member and having its terminal end opposite said first attachment member for secured attachment to the other of a cabinet door and a cabinet frame member; said housing member and second attachment member having cooperative locking means to releasably lock said second attachment member in the fully extended position with respect to said housing member, said housing member being configured to form a guide path for said second attachment member and having a first side wall with a flexible wall portion extending inwardly to a locking position when said second attachment member is in said fully extended position, said second attachment member having a protuberant portion adjacent said inwardly extending wall portion of said housing member when fully extended to act in cooperation therewith to form an abutment stop for cooperative action with said inwardly extending flexible wall portion, said housing member having at least a partial side wall, opposite said first side wall, with an inwardly extending portion disposed adjacent said second attachment member to retain said second attachment member in telescopic and captive relationship with said housing member.

2. The support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second securement member has an abutment stop on its end portion opposite said terminal end to engage said inwardly extending surface of said at least partial side wall portion and prevent continued outward movement thereof.

3. The support in accordance with claim 2 wherein said second securement member has an at least partially upraised surface portion adjacent said at least partial side wall portion of said housing member for cooperative surface contact therewith and the surface opposite said upraised surface portion is at least partially recessed for cooperative surface contact with said flexible wall portion of said first side wall of said housing member.

4. The support in accordance with claim 3 wherein said at least partially upraised surface portion and said at least partially recessed surface portion extends the length of said securement member except for the intermediate section adjacent said protuberant portion.

5. The support in accordance with claim 4 wherein said inwardly, extending wall portion of said first side wall of said housing member is configured to ride in the recessed surface of said second securement member.

6. The support in accordance with claim 5 wherein said inwardly extending surface of said at least partial side wall portion of said housing member rides on said upraised surface portion of said second securement member in close relationship therewith.

7. The support in accordance with claim 6 wherein said protuberant portion of said second securement member is formed by an upraised portion of the surface thereof and the opposite surface is recessed.

8. The support in accordance with claim 7 wherein the ends of said protuberant portion are sloped for ease of overriding of said inwardly, extending wall portion of said first side wall of said housing member.

9. The support in accordance with claim 8 wherein said housing member is of plastic and said second securement member is of metal.

10. The support in accordance with claim 9 wherein said inwardly, extending wall portion of said first side wall of said housing member is flexible to override said protuberant portion of said second securement member.

11. The support in accordance with claim 10 wherein said inwardly, extending wall portion of said first side wall is triangular-like in configuration.

12. The support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first attachment member has a first plate portion with a pair of ears extending therefrom and said housing member is cooperatively secured between said pair of cars.

13. The support in accordance with claim 12 wherein one of said pair of ears has an interior slot and said housing member has one end having a side wall with an extending stub post for snap fitting engagement into said interior slot.

14. The support in accordance with claim 13 wherein said ears of said first attachment member are flexible and the terminus of the upper and bottom walls of said housing member are angular to permit ease of cooperative engagement of said housing member and said first attachment member.

15. The support in accordance with claim 14 wherein the side wall of said housing member adjacent said ear with said slot extends beyond the opposite side wall of said housing and has a curvilinear configuration, and a projection wall portion of said ear with said slot acts against the curvilinear side wall to permit snug engagement between said stub post and said slot. 

1. A cabinet door support or the like comprising the combination: a first attachment member for secure attachment to one of a cabinet door and a cabinet frame member; an elongate, extending housing member having one end pivotally secured to said first attachment member; a second attachment member slidably, captively, and telescopically received within said housing member and having its terminal end opposite said first attachment member for secured attachment to the other of a cabinet door and a cabinet frame member; said housing member and second attachment member having cooperative locking means to releasably lock said second attachment member in the fully extended position with respect to said housing member, said housing member being configured to form a guide path for said second attachment member and having a first side wall with a flexible wall portion extending inwardly to a locking position when said second attachment member is in said fully extended position, said second attachment member having a protuberant portion adjacent said inwardly extending wall portion of said housing member when fully extended to act in cooperation therewith to form an abutment stop for cooperative action with said inwardly extending flexible wall portion, said housing member having at least a partial side wall, opposite said first side wall, with an inwardly extending portion disposed adjacent said second attachment member to retain said second attachment member in telescopic and captive relationship with said housing member.
 2. The support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second securement member has an abutment stop on its end portion opposite said terminal end to engage said inwardly extending surface of said at least partial side wall portion and prevent continued outward movement thereof.
 3. The support in accordance with claim 2 wherein said second securement member has an at least partially upraised surface portion adjacent said at least partial side wall portion of said housing member for cooperative surface contact therewith and the surface opposite said upraised surface portion is at least partially recessed for cooperative surface contact with said flexible wall portion of said first side wall of said housing member.
 4. The support in accordance with claim 3 wherein said at least partially upraised surface portion and said at least partially recessed surface portion extends the length of said securement member except for the intermediate section adjacent said protuberant portion.
 5. The support in accordance with claim 4 wherein said inwardly, extending wall portion of said first side wall of said housing member is configured to ride in the recessed surface of said second securement member.
 6. The support in accordance with claim 5 wherein said inwardly extending surface of said at least partial side wall portion of said housing member rides on said upraised surface portion of said second securement member in close relationship therewith.
 7. The support in accordance with claim 6 wherein said protuberant portion of said second securement member is formed by an upraised portion of the surface thereof and the opposite surface is recessed.
 8. The support in accordance with claim 7 wherein the ends of said protuberant portion are sloped for ease of overriding of said inwardly, extending wall portion of said first side wall of said housing member.
 9. The support in accordance with claim 8 wherein said housing member is of plastic and said second securement member is of metal.
 10. The support in accordance with claim 9 wherein said inwardly, extending wall portion of said first side wall of said housing member is flexible to override said protuberant portion of said second securement member.
 11. The support in accordance with claim 10 wherein said inwardly, extending wall portion of said first side wall is triangular-like in configuration.
 12. The support in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first attachment member has a first plate portion with a pair of ears extending therefrom and said housing member is cooperatively secured between said pair of ears.
 13. The support in accordance with claim 12 wherein one of said pair of ears has an interior slot and said housing member has one end having a side wall with an extending stub post for snap fitting engagement into said interior slot.
 14. The support in accordance with claim 13 wherein said ears of said first attachment member are flexible and the terminus of tHe upper and bottom walls of said housing member are angular to permit ease of cooperative engagement of said housing member and said first attachment member.
 15. The support in accordance with claim 14 wherein the side wall of said housing member adjacent said ear with said slot extends beyond the opposite side wall of said housing and has a curvilinear configuration, and a projection wall portion of said ear with said slot acts against the curvilinear side wall to permit snug engagement between said stub post and said slot. 